John 11:28-37 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
 
“Jesus wept.” Oh, this is such great comfort! Have you considered that if the Triune God had not wept over death, Jesus would not have come to give life.
    Can you imagine the incarnate Lord of Life standing in front of a grave? He had surely done this before. Other friends had died. Apparently his earthly father Joseph was dead when Jesus’ ministry began. Jesus had wept before.
    But why would the Resurrection and the Life have wept here? He knows that in a few minutes this grave will open, and his friend will walk out. Why did Jesus weep?
    When we consider Scripture’s revelation of God’s great work to redeem mankind, we can understand Jesus wept for all humanity. He wept because so very much had been lost. After all, Jesus is the eternal God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)  At the Father’s command and with the Spirit’s power, the Son spoke life into the void. He formed a sparkling universe of extraordinary, perfect beauty. The Resurrection and the Life put eternity into the hearts of man. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Jesus wants us to know what God has done from beginning to end.
    With a grievous heart Jesus witnessed Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. How could Jesus deal with death –  the death of God’s holy perfection, the death of peace, the death of humanity’s unity with our Creator?
    He could only tolerate the corrupted creation because he knew his resurrection power would come to redeem the world. Since eternity before time, the Son knew the day would come when mankind would experience once again the life-giving wonder of the Father’s imperative: “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)
    Jesus wept because he loves us.
    Jesus’ love is why Jesus’ walk to the cross is called “passion”. He has a deep passion to awaken his people to witness and know his resurrection power.
    Do you see this power? Do you know it in your life? May it be so.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus is alive. He wants you to be alive in Him!

Read John 11:17-34 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." 28 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
 
John 11:20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house.
 
WE might have been as Mary and stayed in the house. Mary may have been thinking something like this: “After all, Jesus claimed to love Martha, Lazarus and me. But he did not hurry here to help Lazarus! Where was he? We called, but he did not come. What was he doing? He has healed so many people, and many he did not personally know. Why didn’t he come to make Lazarus well? Where was Jesus when we needed him?”
    Yes, Mary. Where is Jesus when we need him? We’ve all experienced the unexpected loss of loved ones. We have watched faithful people suffer illness, accident or unbelief. What happened? Where was Jesus when he could have given physical and spiritual protection to his brothers and sisters he had called to faith?
    Is it ever appropriate to ask Jesus, “Are you really the resurrection and the life? Where were you?”  
    To answer that question, let’s consider what “resurrection and the life” means. Jesus is so much more than redeeming your life for the here and now. “What have you done for me lately, Jesus?” is the humanistic way to think of God’s relationship to us. We want what we want, and God should deliver!
    But let’s remember Jesus’ purpose is eternal life. Eternal life is the gift!! We must dwell on the eternal because everything else is temporary. Yes, Jesus did eventually answer Martha’s and Mary’s desires. He raised Lazarus into life. But Lazarus’ physical life did not last. Amid the pain of loss, we have the hope to look to see Jesus is eternal life, “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
    Keep foremost in your mind that Jesus came from his throne in Heaven to offer you a home in Heaven. He came in the Father’s time in a very different way than anyone in the world anticipated. Celebrate Jesus’ remarkable gospel of salvation that goes eternally beyond our daily needs:
 
Colossians 1:4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.  
   
Resurrection Truth: life is forever in Jesus.

20 Days Considering Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

​The Death of Lazarus
Read John 11:1-17John 11:1-17 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." 12 His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  
 
John 11:4 “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus; this has happened in order to bring glory to God, and it will be the means by which the Son of God will receive glory.”

AS we perhaps more purposefully consider Jesus’ death and resurrection this time of year, we begin with a resurrection story second only to that of Jesus’ own resurrection. Consider this: Jesus words, “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus” is a topic sentence, a purpose statement of the entire Bible! When we begin to read this story of Lazarus, knowing the final result, we have hope and joy in our heart. We are able to withstand Jesus’ waiting to go to his friend’s aid because we have a full understanding of the life power he is about to unveil to mankind.
    God’s people need that hope. Hope is what drives God’s message forward from Genesis.
    The Bible’s beginning can cause us to despair. The first two chapters are wonderful! They tell of God’s glorious creation. We see “and it was good” expressing God’s benediction to each day’s creation. But we know what happens next, don’t we? Does grief lurk in your soul as you await the “not good” to intrude into Eden? “Good” lasts only until Genesis 3. Disobedience, sin – death – enters into perfection. The rest of the Bible is a story of struggle against our Creator. But then after much despair and darkness Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, reveals it is the time to restore God’s “good” benediction to his creation.
    To believe in Jesus’ resurrection means you embrace the “resurrected” life. In God’s grace you are no longer controlled by the disobedient, sinful nature. Your life begins to form and grow into a complete trust in Jesus’ good power. His resurrection transfers to your soul to empower you to a life in the Spirit’s power: 2 Timothy 1:9 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  
    In Jesus’ resurrection, life has come to light. We can get up in the morning to confidently confront the “not-good” of each day. We can be glad for challenges. We can squarely face adversity and have the strength of life in Christ to overcome it.
    A resurrected life opens the doors wide, so you can step into each moment with confidence, love, hope and promise.
    Do you perhaps fear you’re asleep in the grave of hopelessness, discouragement or disappointment? Turn to Jesus. Focus on his life-giving power. Read the gospels. Receive the Spirit’s good grace to know Christ has resurrected you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus’ resurrection is for you to be alive in him.

Acts 28:30-31 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
THESE are appropriate words to conclude Acts. For nearly seven months, about 200 commentaries, we’ve witnessed the church begin with Jesus’ ascension, the Spirit’s empowering tongues of fire and the apostles and evangelists boldly preaching the kingdom of God. Salvation in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ changed the status quo and resurrected lost souls. Through Luke’s history, we’ve witnessed thousands enter the kingdom of God in one day. The Spirit has shown us miraculous healings for the lame and chain-breaking exorcism for the demon possessed.
   Luke has also faithfully reveled the gospel’s savage opposition. The gifted Stephen and anointed apostle James were among the first martyrs. Peter’s, Paul’s, Silas’ and Barnabas’ sufferings included beatings and imprisonment. Through the spiritual storm, God opened doors. The Lord of the Church is the victor. He prospered his church with salvation, and he sifted it with tribulation.
   This is how Jesus’ church began, and this is how it is today. Boldly and without hindrance the church is to proclaim the gospel. Yes, the church has been and will be hindered with oppressive laws and demonic suppression. But the most destructive hindrance is lack of passion for Jesus. People who love their Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength will confront the opposition with a determined focus for the reveal Jesus’ salvation. Faith-filled disciples know the cross the Spirit gives us to bear is a mark of Jesus’ favor. When we believe Jesus died to give us life, we understand our lives belong to him. He will use us to his glory and his purpose for his eternal church.
   As their ministry began, Peter and John faced the judging Pharisees. But that did not concern them because they knew they were fully obeying his command, “Come follow me.” They understood that pathway includes suffering and it includes resurrection. At the end of the battle there is always eternal victory in Jesus. With a joyful faith they prayed, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:25-30)
      This is a good prayer to keep in mind as your life is an active response to Jesus’ resurrection. 

Acts 28:23-28 The Jews arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” 28 Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
 
PAUL held a day-long conference for Rome’s Jews to learn about Jesus of Nazareth. In the style of rabbinical teaching, it is likely there was ongoing discussion, questions and opinions from many. As the day concluded, some were convinced by what Paul said, but others would not believe.
   Likely with a mix of frustration, sadness and acceptance, Paul quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
   800 years before Paul, God had called Isaiah to teach God’s truth to Judah. But God warned his new prophet that the people’s eyes and ears were incapable of seeing and hearing the true Word of God. They were so disobedient, God said he would ultimately remove them from the land.
   The Spirit often revealed to his prophets that the Jews would reject them and their words. Paul, beaten, scourged, jailed and threatened, had certainly understood many would remain deaf and blind to God’s salvation. The Jews in Rome were as Jews from long ago and everywhere he had ministered.
   How would he respond to the non-belilevers? The only thing to do was to continue preaching the gospel. In the days and months to come, Gentiles and Jews would hear and see the gospel through churches and other ministry partners who were Paul’s coworkers in Christ. Surely he would have often prayed this prayer he wrote to Ephesus:
 
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
          Yes, Lord, open the eyes of their heart to see the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16b)

Acts 28:17-22 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
 
FOR years Paul had wanted to go to Rome. In his letter to the Romans, he had written one of history’s most accomplished works on God, the doctrine of salvation and the Christian’s response to Jesus. Romans also reaffirmed the Jews’ role in God’s ultimate salvation for the world. Even though he is chained to a Roman soldier and restricted to a house, Paul immediately invited Rome’s leading Jews to come and hear his story.  
    Once more Paul defends himself. But they had not heard of him, and seemed to only want to hear of one thing: the hope of Israel.
   The Jews understood their nation’s hope as a general resurrection that would occur for all Jews in the Messiah’s reign. As we know, most Jews strenuously, even violently objected to Jesus of Nazareth being Messiah, the hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
   But the Roman Jews were curious, interested to learn more. They had heard of this faction of Jews who preached Jesus of Nazareth. Even though there is much talk against this new teaching, the Roman Jews were curious to hear from this experienced messenger of some reputation. The LORD God had arranged this meeting. He will use it to expand the gospel among his chosen people in Rome.
   Just days in Rome, Paul acted quickly to open the gospel door. Paul was always purposeful for Jesus. He knew the Savior had saved him. He  hoped with all his heart the Savior would save all Jews into the living Hope.
 
Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Acts 28:16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
 
THE Lord Jesus promises he is preparing a place for his faithful followers to be with him in heaven: John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” How sweet it is to know your trust in Jesus is the way to eternal dwelling with him.
   As we await that day, let’s also trust today he has a place for us to dwell in his purpose and power. To follow Jesus is to follow him into a place he has set aside for you to demonstrate your love for God and love for one another. That place begins in your home. If you are a husband or wife, mother or father, son or daughter, the home is a good place to live out the good news. From your home, you can also care for a neighbor and others you invite into your home. Perhaps your place is to be a teacher, a scientist, a farmer, a business owner or a politician. The world has endless places Jesus has prepared for his gospel to be taught, loved and lived – even in a prison. Recently an astronaut in the Space Station told the gospel to the world!
   Paul surely thanked Jesus that he had prepared a prison house to be Paul’s ministry place in Rome. He could have been jailed in one of Rome’s harsh and dangerous prisons, with minimal outside contact. After all, Paul was a Jew. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome 11 years before.  Although Jews were coming back to Rome, the new Christian sect was also developing an unfavorable reputation. The Jews and Christians would not worship the emperor! You could say Paul had two marks against him.
   But if God is for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31) Indeed, God was certainly for Paul. His authority was the King of Kings, who granted Paul a relatively safe place in a Rome-guarded prison house. For two years, the apostle would have a new guard every four hours. He had no freedom to go and come, but he had freedom to meet with any who came in peace. Even if the Jerusalem Jews had sent people to kill him as they had plotted in Jerusalem, Paul was safe from the storm of opposition that had sent him there.
   Paul’s friends would need to provide his food and clothing. Paul will appeal for financial help to the churches he’s pastored. God will bring him others. He’ll need writing tools, someone to help him write and friends to keep him company. He will write four epistles – Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon – to teach the church then and now to help us know Jesus and our response to the place he has prepared for us. Paul’ life will be a day-to-day restricted life; yet his ministry will remain until Jesus returns.  
 

Acts 28:11-15 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
 
FINALLY! Favorable weather and a good ship take Paul and his friends to Italy. They arrive at Puteoli, on the most southern tip of Italy, about 150 miles (240 Kilometers) south of Rome. As their journey continued toward Rome, Paul, Luke and the others discovered the fruit of the gospel spreading through Italy. Those who had learned of Jesus and confessed their faith in Jesus in Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Corinth or some other gospel ministry had returned home to tell the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ to their friends!
   Evangelism is everyone’s joyful work, isn’t it? In response to so many brothers and sisters in faith, Paul thanked God and was encouraged.  
   Encouragement is one very personal way the Lord cares for his own. For the Christian worker encouragement is the power of life. In contrast, discouragement can take the life from a ministry. It is one of Satan’s “quiet” weapons against Jesus’ workers. As we follow Jesus, we may wonder, “Am I doing the right thing?” Too often there seems to be no visible response to the gospel. Many missionaries can work for years without visible fruit of their work. Pastors continually labor against indifference and criticism, seldom hearing, “Thank you.”
     To encourage is to strengthen. That’s why Paul’s epistles have 11 specific instructions for the church members to encourage one another. Indeed, encouragement is so vital in the church, Paul included it in his list of essential work in 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. We strengthen others when we tell them, “You are a child of the Living God. Thank you for your good work. Your life matters.” Thank God’s workers for their faithfulness and tell them you pray for them. Good words and helpful actions remind someone, “Jesus loves you.” 

Acts 28:7-10 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways, and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
 
BE alert! Even when you’re not on a specific mission, your risen Savior may want you to show his tender mercy to someone.
   That’s what happened on Malta. Paul and his friends first gained favor when God kept Paul safe from a viper’s bite. In response Publius, the island’s chief official, invited the Christians into his home. God then granted favor to Publius’ father when Paul placed his hands on him and healed him. The Spirit then distributed God’s grace to heal all of the sick on the island!
   God made himself known. He revealed his glory to a group of people who did not know him. Might they have learned a new song, perhaps Psalms 103:1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD O my soul, and forget not all his benefits 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Of course, this is only conjecture, but our point is to encourage you to notice the ways God reveals his glory to you and through you. Praise him for his tender mercies.
   In Acts each time the Spirit uses his messengers to heal the sick, he also saves people into eternal life. Luke has written of people’s responses to the healings and preaching. He has twice numbered those saved (Acts 2:4, 4:4). At other points Luke referred to people’s salvation with such language as more and more believed (Acts 5:14), many believed in the Lord (Acts 9:42) and many of the Jews believed (Acts 17:12). But we have no report here. Certainly Paul preached the gospel. Paul always preached it. We can trust the Spirit would have moved some people to confess Jesus as Savior.
    Still, not all is well for Paul. After Paul’s wisdom saved the ship and all lives on board and after his gracious healing ministry, Paul remains Rome’s prisoner. He is obligated to continue the journey under Roman guard. Luke and Paul’s friends faithfully continue with him. He has much work to do for Jesus, while he is confined under Roman guard. Even so, Paul will be confident in the Lord’s care. Psalms 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. 

Acts 28:1-6 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
 
PAUL didn’t sit around. Safe on shore and warmed with a fire the islanders provided, the apostle gathered brush for the fire. Some Roman guards had been concerned the prisoners would escape. Paul is helping.
   The snake bites him, and the islanders believed it was the justice of some god condemning a murderer. Note these people were entrenched in pagan idolatry. They did not know the LORD God. Still they had a sense of a superior force judging evil. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
   The islanders quickly changed their view of Paul when the snake’s bite had no affect. Some see this as a fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. This was a particular gift to the 72 Jesus sent out for a short time during his ministry. He apparently extended that mercy to Paul.
   Years earlier at Lystra people had believed Paul and Barnabas were gods when they spoke healing to a crippled man.Acts 14:11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Paul’s reaction to the islanders would certainly have been identical to his reaction to the people of Lystra: Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.”
   Always, always, preaching God’s power, Paul had new opportunities to reveal Jesus to the people on Malta.